It is vital to maintain material quality if you want to stay on the right track for vehicle lightweighting, says Mikko Järvikivi of Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science

Tough legislation on carbon emissions and fierce competition are causing rapid changes across the automotive supply chain. As CO2 emissions fall by 8.5g per 100km for each 100kg lost, cutting vehicle weight remains high on the agenda. Manufacturers are striving to get more out of every drop of fuel and, for EVs (electric vehicles), from a single charge.

Birmingham injection moulding and toolmaking company Barkley Plastics is investing £250,000 in new presses and robots.

The company, which employs 120 people at its Highgate facility in Birmingham, is currently celebrating 55 years of business. The increased capacity will help it to take on support new orders it has won in interior parts and lighting for the automotive sector.